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Author Aili, S.R.; Touchard, A.; Escoubas, P.; Padula, M.P.; Orivel, J.; Dejean, A.; Nicholson, G.M.
Title Diversity of peptide toxins from stinging ant venoms Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Toxicon Abbreviated Journal Toxicon
Volume 92 Issue Pages 166-178
Keywords Ant venom; Chemotaxonomy; Disulfide linkage; Peptides; Venom biochemistry
Abstract Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of arthropods comprising nearly 13,000 extant species. Sixteen ant subfamilies have individuals that possess a stinger and use their venom for purposes such as a defence against predators, competitors and microbial pathogens, for predation, as well as for social communication. They exhibit a range of activities including antimicrobial, haemolytic, cytolytic, paralytic, insecticidal and pain-producing pharmacologies. While ant venoms are known to be rich in alkaloids and hydrocarbons, ant venoms rich in peptides are becoming more common, yet remain understudied. Recent advances in mass spectrometry techniques have begun to reveal the true complexity of ant venom peptide composition. In the few venoms explored thus far, most peptide toxins appear to occur as small polycationic linear toxins, with antibacterial properties and insecticidal activity. Unlike other venomous animals, a number of ant venoms also contain a range of homodimeric and heterodimeric peptides with one or two interchain disulfide bonds possessing pore-forming, allergenic and paralytic actions. However, ant venoms seem to have only a small number of monomeric disulfide-linked peptides. The present review details the structure and pharmacology of known ant venom peptide toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
Address Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de NarbonneToulouse, France
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 00410101 (Issn) ISBN (up) Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Export Date: 2 December 2014; Coden: Toxia; Correspondence Address: Nicholson, G.M.; Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology SydneyAustralia Approved no
Call Number EcoFoG @ webmaster @ Serial 568
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